Brett Smith, left, with Board Members John and Kimberley Babel served up CAVA Codorníu for the first wine

Stacy Ohlsson

Have you ever wondered how the red wines of Napa Valley got on the map? That question was answered on Thursday, May 18, 2006 as the American Wine Society hosted Stag’s Leap Cellars for “An Evening of Fine Wines” at the Denver Athletic Club.

AWS gatherings are always informative and entertaining, and this month, patrons learned more about how, in 1973, winemaker Warren Winiarski’s Cabernet Sauvignon bested four top-ranked Bordeaux entries to ultimately change how California wines were viewed worldwide.

The AWS is a national nonprofit consumer organization devoted to educating people on all aspects of wine. Its members are wine novices, experts, grape growers, amateur and professional winemakers, chefs, wine appreciators, wine educators, restaurateurs and anyone else who wants to learn more about the appreciation of wine and gastronomy.

The Denver Chapter was started three years ago and has brought many interesting and highly acclaimed vineyard specialists to town for tastings and lectures.If you are interested in wine education (brushing up or starting from scratch), meeting new folks, wine judging, grape growing, winemaking and more, you are invited to join.

Membership is open to any interested person - wine enthusiast, professional winemaker, amateur winemaker, grape grower and curious novice - anyone who wants to learn more about wine!